Did you - or do you have a hope chest?

[C.Ann]

My grandparents bought a Lane Cedar Chest for my mom when she was in high school. My grandmother proceeded to fill it with tons of hand-crocheted doilies, potholders and bedspreads. She also crocheted edging onto towels, dish towels and pillowcases. My mom took some things out to use when she got married almost 49 years ago. My sister, brother and I also took some things out when we got our own homes. It's still just brimming with Grandma's handmade things. She passed away 10 years ago so she hasn't added to it for a long time. We have lots of wonderful memories of my grandma and love using her handmade things in our homes. I'm sure there will be plenty left when my kids have their own homes.

They really are a treasure to have.. I've made some things for my DGD - and plan to make more - so either I'll have to buy her a hope chest or maybe her dad will make one for her instead.. I also already have "special items" stored away for her when she's older - her mother's christening dress and bonnet; a few special items that belonged to my late DH; a diamond ring that I'll never wear; the quilt I made for her when she was born; etc..

 

[englishteacha]

I have one. It's at the foot of our bed and currently holds our sheets. My brother-in-law made it for me the Christmas I turned 16. When I lived with my parents it held dishes, cookbooks, pots and pans, and utensils (I got spatulas and wooden spoons in my stocking when I was a teen), etc. A lot of the stuff I took to college with me and used there. Yesterday, I actually found a box of mugs my aunt (who is also my godmother) gave me one Christmas with this note on it: Dear Kim, I thought it was about time we started giving you things for your hope chest. I hope you find it fun! Love, Aunt Jeanette and Uncle Jack.

I haven't used the mugs because we don't drink coffee and yet have a surplus of mugs (every year I get mugs from my students for holidays). I keep them mainly because of the note. My uncle passed away about a year before DH and I got married and they never got to meet.

I like the idea of a hope chest. It was so nice to go to college and have a pot and a spatula to use, and to have a good cookbook when I got married and was clueless about real cooking was wonderful.

If I have a daughter, I'll pass it down to her. If not, I may pass it to my grandniece, the granddaughter of the brother-in-law who made it for me.

 

[N&B'smom]

When I got engaged I got my grandmother's. It wasn't in the greatest shape so my Uncle put fresh would around the outside. But when you open it, the inside is my grandmother's, it's cedar!

 

[Judy from Boise]

Awwww.. That just makes me want to cry.. The hours of hard work and love that went into that.. It's beautiful!!!!!

thank you, he did work very hard on it, he crafted it out of 100% cedar wood. Inside it has a nice hinged tray that is lined with velvet, and a "dedication " plaque with his love and the date.

 

[Piecey]

I fell in love with a set of canisters on Disney Shopping but didn't have the money for them (I was in high school).
My dad bought them for me and called them my hope chest.

That is about all

 

[C.Ann]

thank you, he did work very hard on it, he crafted it out of 100% cedar wood. Inside it has a nice hinged tray that is liked with velvet, and a "dedication " plaque with his love and the date.

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That's incredible!! If that doesn't "scream" I love you, I don't know what does!!!!!!

 

[Tuffcookie]

I had a Lane hope chest. It is in the attic now and I stored youngest DS's better baby clothes in it.

TC

 

[C.Ann]

I had a Lane hope chest. It is in the attic now and I stored youngest DS's better baby clothes in it.

TC

At some point will you pass it on to someone in your family?

 

[Tuffcookie]

It will go to one of the sons. Only 1 is married right now. Funny thing is they are 18 years apart in age! (Well, now it's funny. I was in shock at the time! ) Even with oldest DS, who is now 36, I hand washed all his better baby clothes and gave those to him and his DW when they had my first grandchild, grandson Paul. How special it was to give all those knitted booties and sweaters, made with love by family members that my oldest DS wore, so his son could wear them! Talk about hand me downs!

So now, in the hope chest up in the attic, I have placed youngest DS's better baby cloths and hope I can do the same thing for him some day!

TC

 

[C.Ann]

It will go to one of the sons. Only 1 is married right now. Funny thing is they are 18 years apart in age! (Well, now it's funny. I was in shock at the time! ) Even with oldest DS, who is now 36, I hand washed all his better baby clothes and gave those to him and his DW when they had my first grandchild, grandson Paul. How special it was to give all those knitted booties and sweaters, made with love by family members that my oldest DS wore, so his son could wear them! Talk about hand me downs!

So now, in the hope chest up in the attic, I have placed youngest DS's better baby cloths and hope I can do the same thing for him some day!

TC

Those baby clothes must have been so special to your DS and his DW.. Seeing your own child in clothes that he once wore himself - handmade by someone who loved him..

What a great gift you gave them..